Will Amla bring back my curls?

**camirra555** · July 26th, 2009, 06:48 PM

After two henna applications I've noticed that my hair at the front has lost it's curl. I usually wear my hair in braid waves so I didn't notice until we had a wedding to go to and I decided to do a wash and go. When my hair dried the front part as well as the part from roots to just below my ears all over my head was wavy instead of curly. The curls at the bottom were still there just a bit looser. When I initially did henna I knew it could loosen my curls, which is something I was fine with but I didn't know it would straighten them to the point where they are just slightly wavy. I really don't want to stop using henndigo I love how my hair feels and the subtle color changes so I bought some Amla. I've heard it's good for prevent the loss of curl but will it bring curls back that are already gone?

**Velouria** · July 27th, 2009, 03:11 PM

In my experience (I've also had curl loss from henna) an amla pack will restore body and some curl. Repeated uses seem to be necessary for a longer term effect. Shikakai also seems to help. I do find amla a bit drying, so I've never used it straight, but only mixed with fenugreek/methi.

As to whether adding amla to subsequent hennas will prevent or lessen curl loss, I can't personally attest to that yet. I have been adding it to my root touch-up mixes for a while, but I've always had that 3a tendency of having straighter roots, and the hennaed/amlaed portions haven't grown down enough to judge yet.

**camirra555** · July 27th, 2009, 07:16 PM

Thanks Velouria. I really hope I do get back some curl. I was a 3b/c before and now I don't even know if I could be considered a 3a

. Hopefully someone else has experience with this and has some good news for me

**Amatullah** · July 28th, 2009, 05:18 AM

Henna loosens curls? Wow, I never heard that before. I'll have to give it a try...

**Zombiekins** · July 28th, 2009, 07:50 PM

So, as lamented before, my years of full application hennas have straightened my already fairly straight (kind of wavey naturally, and holds curl/texture (from pony tails) fairly well...though it's been a long time since I've had my "natural hair") into a glossy "flat-ironed" look every day. Sure, it's all the rage and - hey - I can get it without trying. But damn if it doesn't get old.

As a desperate attempt to get some kind of wave back into my hair I started mixing amla into my henna. The first time was kind of a bust as I made the mix too dry and applied to dry hair...so it was just kind of dry all over and yucky feeling for a week. The second time I made a slightly wetter mix and applied to damp hair - much better results. Now, my hair felt like it had a little more body in the days following that second amla/henna and today I notice that it's actually kind of fluffy. Like, almost wild and kinked up kind of fluffy. Which is something it hasn't been in a loooong, looong, loooonnng time. No stick straight flat-iron hair here, grimey scalp aside.

In addition to adding amla to henna (about 1-2 tablespoons to 100-200g dye-released henna. sorry to not be more specific I kind of "wing it" each time), I've washed my hair twice with an aritha/amla mix. I'm thinking the wash has more to do with how my hair is today since it was done on....uhh....saturday? And the aritha/amla seems to have a "base" quality to the cleaning power (like shampoo bars) that roughens up my hair (despite the use of a strong vinegar rinse).

So, I dunno, check out your amla and see what it can do for you. For me it seems to have definitely done something different.

**camirra555** · July 28th, 2009, 08:59 PM

Thank you sooo much Zombiekins! I really hope it brings back a bit of curl to my hair. I do not want to stop henndigoing my hair because I love how it feels and the colour highlights I've gotten. I'm going to do my next henndigo in a month and add amla. I'm crossing my fingers (and toes) that I get some curl back. I'll try doing it on damp hair. If anyone else has experience with this I'd love to hear about it

**Jenny.Wren** · July 29th, 2009, 01:12 AM

When I received my henna from Renaissance, the instructions said that I could add amla for "bouncy curls" to my mix so I assume it does something for them?

I mixed in a tablespoon of amla to my dye released henna just before applying.

**pixiedoo** · July 29th, 2009, 03:29 AM

I have been using amla as a conditioning hair treatment and it has definitely made my waves wavier and my hair more bouncy

I am about to do my first henndigo so I may add some amla to the mix to see if I can prevent henna taking the wave out of my hair.
I have been putting it on damp hair, wrapping it in a plastic bag and a scarf, and leaving it on for about an hour.

**Jenny.Wren** · July 29th, 2009, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by pixiedoo

I have been using amla as a conditioning hair treatment and it has definitely made my waves wavier and my hair more bouncy

I am about to do my first henndigo so I may add some amla to the mix to see if I can prevent henna taking the wave out of my hair.
I have been putting it on damp hair, wrapping it in a plastic bag and a scarf, and leaving it on for about an hour.

that's interesting, I wasn't aware that it had conditioning properties - I was going to try Cassia for that.

Have you decided what ratio of mix you are going for when you Henndigo?

**pixiedoo** · July 29th, 2009, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by Jenny.Wren

that's interesting, I wasn't aware that it had conditioning properties - I was going to try Cassia for that.

Have you decided what ratio of mix you are going for when you Henndigo?

Sabrina, from Renaissance Henna, suggested I use it in the run-up to my henndigo to condition my hair so I bought some at the same time as my henna. It does seem to have done some good and my hair is more bouncy and shiny. Amla is ment to make a really good facial treatment as well but I have not tried it yet!!

I am going to opt for a 2 step henndigo (I've finally made up my mind lol) as now I've let my roots grow through I can see how much grey I have and it's a lot!!! Unfortunately for some reason most of it is condensed at the front so I can see me ending up with some seriously glowy red streaks if I opt for a 1 step.

I am planning to use a colour stripper to remove (hopefully!!) some of the chemical colour build up on the length and then wait 3-4 days and henndigo. I am going to do some strand tests after the colour stripper to see how long I need to leave the indigo step on for so I don't end up jet black. I am hoping for a dark chocolate cherry colour like yours

Fingers crossed it will all go according to plan